Scripture:
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that
the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat;
this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of
Me." 1 Corinthians 11:23,24
Reflection:
In the final hours before his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus
gathered with his disciples for one final meal. It was during this
meal that the Lord introduced a very special meal in its own right.
Whether you view this meal as sacramental or a simply a memorial,
whether you call it the Eucharist, Holy Communion, or the Lord's
Supper, one thing is certain: this is something very special that the
Lord wants to participate in regularly.
We do this with purpose: to remember the Lord's sacrifice on our
behalf. The bread reminds us that his body was broken for us, and the
wine reminds us of his blood that was shed to wash away our sins.
The annual celebration of the Jewish Passover recalls the blood that
was applied to the doorposts and lintels of the homes to be spared
from the judgment of death at the first Passover. In a similar way,
Holy Communion reminds us that we need the blood of Jesus applied to
the doorposts and lintel of our hearts to avoid God's judgment and
spiritual death. The blood of Jesus is applied to our hearts when we
confess our sins and turn to God by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, with grateful hearts we thank you for the gift of the
Eucharist that reminds us of your sacrifice for us. May we never
partake of the Lord's Supper lightheartedly or without sincerely
recalling to mind and heart what you did for us on the cross. We
thank you for this very real picture of you in the bread and wine of
Holy Communion. We are forever thankful. Amen
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